“But that is the land of Goshen, which our father Abraham visited, and which Jacob had portioned out to him,” said the Hebrew, turning to his wife, who only answered with an inclination of her head. Then, speaking to the Roman, he continued, “Israel wandered from Egypt to Canaan. But after the Babylonish captivity a part of them returned and settled down here. You know that.” “Yes, I know that. And now the Israelites here have increased till they number many thousand souls, and have built a temple for themselves, which you see standing in the distance. Did you know that?” “Yes, something about it. So that, then, is Roman territory?” “Yes. Everything is Roman now--Syria, Canaan, Greece, Egypt--Germany, Gaul, Britain; the world belongs to Rome, according to the prophecy of the Cumaean Sibyl.” “Good! But the world is to be redeemed through Israel, according to God’s promise to our father Abraham.” “I have heard that fable also, but for the present Rome has the fulfilment of the promise. Do you come from Jerusalem?” “I come through the desert like the others, and I bring wife and child with me.” “Child--yes! Why do you Hebrews carry so many children with you?” The Hebrew was silent, but since he perceived that the Roman knew the reason, and since the latter looked like a benevolent man, he resolved to tell the truth. “Herod the King heard from the Wise Men of the East the prophecy that a King of the Jews would be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judaea. In order to escape the supposed danger, Herod had all the children recently born in that district put to death. Just as Pharaoh once had our first-born put to death here. But Moses was saved, in order to free our people from the Egyptian bondage.” “Well! but who was this King of the Jews to be?” “The promised Messiah.” “Do you believe that he is born?” “I cannot tell.” “I can,” said the Roman. “He is born; he will rule the world, and bring all people under his sceptre.” “And who will that be?” “The Emperor, Augustus.” “Is he of Abraham’s seed or of David’s house? No. And has he come with peace, as Isaiah prophesied, ‘His kingdom shall be great, and of peace there shall be no end’? The Emperor is certainly not a man of peace.” “Farewell, Israelite. Now you are a Roman subject. Be content with the redemption through Rome. We know not of any other.” The Roman departed. The Hebrew approached his wife. “Mary!” he said. “Joseph!” she answered. “Hush! The child sleeps.” THE LAMB Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch, had come to Jerusalem, because there was much unrest among the populace. He had taken up his dwelling with Pilate, the Governor. Since on the preceding evening he had witnessed a gladiatorial show in the circus and then taken part in an orgy, he slept late into the morning--so late that his host, who was waiting for his guest, had gone upon the roof.